The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) last month announced $100 million in awardsaimed at growing, supporting, and strengthening the healthcare workforce. As part of HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra’s Health Workforce Initiative, the Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized investing in recruitment, training, and support for the healthcare workforce to maintain nationwide high-quality patient care and address workforce shortages in underserved and rural communities.
Specifically, the awards will:
- Grant $19 million to five schools to grow the nursing workforce in acute and long-term care settings.
- Provide $12 million to three medical schools to increase primary care physicians in underserved rural and tribal areas.
- Give $63 million to 32 organizations to train peer support specialists and community health workers for mental health services, specifically aimed at combatting the opioid and SUD epidemic.
- Grant $4.6 million to support pediatricians with mental health training and tele-consultations with psychiatrists for behavioral health support.
In a HRSA announcement on September 17 from Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, HHS emphasized its intent to strengthen the healthcare workforce, improve access to quality care, and expand behavioral health care, in high-need areas. According to Becerra, this “continued federal investments in recruiting, training and support for the healthcare workforce has been a particular priority so that high-quality care is accessible for all.”
The HWC commends HRSA’s $100 million in awards to invest in the healthcare workforce. This initiative will enhance and expand the number of nurses and primary care physicians in the U.S., helping to combat healthcare workforce shortages and improving health outcomes throughout the nation. The full list of awards can be viewed here.